Ideas To mudlark is to scavenge for a piece of history to keep
Feb 10, 2026
Tina Lacode, a Museum of London visitor experience host and archaeologist, and Marie-Louise Plum, artist, writer and Thames mudlark, explore mudlarking on the Thames. They describe tidal rhythms, permits, spotting pottery and coins, Victorian mudlarks, standout finds like a Bronze Age sword and Tudor coin, and how objects inspire art, research and personal connections.
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Follow Legal Rules For Mudlarking
- Get a permit before mudlarking because the Port of London Authority regulates access to the foreshore.
- Record and report significant finds through the Portable Antiquities Scheme as required.
Tide Drives London’s Layered Archaeology
- The Thames's tidal rhythm exposes the foreshore for only a few hours a day, creating a unique archaeology site.
- That daily push and pull concentrates objects by size, weight and shape, producing rich, mixed layers of history.
Search Smart: Read The Mud And Tide
- Look for dark sticky patches and lines where the tide concentrates objects; focus on areas with washers or metal bits to find coins.
- Pay attention to peripheral vision and rhythm; sometimes finds appear when you relax and wait.